Would the contents of an Amsec BF series survive this massive fire encounter??
The truthful answer is maybe, but this is true for all of these really severe fires. The safes that survive do so only because of luck in these types of situations. Some of these fires burn for hours and hours, and even the best safes on the market have their limitations. If it was in an area that burned quickly or not at all, then it would survive.
How do the contents Amsec BF series hold up to normal house fires from your experience? Partial burns? How about complete burn downs with no fire fighter intervention?
Keep in mind that residential fires and burglaries that involve safes are pretty rare. This is why many of the companies offer the lifetime warranties. It's just not that common.
I have never seen a BF series gun safe that was involved in a fire. I have seen the largest small BF safe that they make in a complete burn down. It's contents surived. The smaller versions are built in a similar fasion as the larger safes, but the differences shouldn't have a major impact when it comes to fire.
How have the Amsec BF series held up to brute force attacks from your experience? Fire ax attacks? Have you seen any first hand that have been compromised? Any pics?
Your average residential burglar never even touches the safe. Of the few that do, the majority of them use tools found at the crime scene. Generally, they do not have much luck. A very very small percent involve a burglary crew that is coming prepared to take on a safe.
In the rare intsance that we see an attempted burglary, it usually involves damage to the dial, handle, and hinges (if external). Sometimes they may try prying on the door. Even though the body weakest link on most safes, the door is still the most often attacked. A 1/2" plate door will put up a really good fight against most of your common hand tools.
I have never seen a safe attacked with a fire axe. Sturdy has photos on their site that show a safe that was owned by a fire fighter, that they alleged was attacked with a fire axe. The vast majority of burglars are going to use pry bars and sledge hammers. If somebody really wants into a gun safe, they're going to bring power tools. This will make very short work out of it if they know what they're doing.
I do the warranty work for several safe manufacturers, including Liberty and Prosteel (Browning and a few other names). Between these two large manufacturers, and being in a large metro area, I have opened zero of their safes over the last five years due to fire or burglary. To keep that in perspective, I install about 200 Liberty safes a year.
I have been wrestling with either getting an Amsec BF or one of the Sturdy models with fire protection, upgraded 5 gauge frame, and stainless steel torch resistant 7 gauge add on steel.
I like the AMSEC for a variety of reasons, none of which have anything to do with the fact that I am an AMSEC dealer. AMSEC has several safes that I do not suggest, and I often point buyers to local dealers which I obviously make no money from.
The argument I always hear about the Sturdy line is that they use more steel. Don't get me wrong. More steel is good, but where does it stop? My general rule is that if the safe uses materials with the word gauge in it, it's not going to keep anybody out for long. If you really want more steel you should step up to a true B rate or better. The only problem here is that there are a variety of companies building gauge safes. You don't have many to choose from when you get to those built like real safes.
Fire protection is more important to me then burglary. I think either would do well for the non professional burglar but I'm leary of Sturdy's fire protection as you have made us aware of on previous threads.
Are you using the safe to store guns? If fire protection is really important, you should use a safe with a legitimate fire rating. If you are storing guns, you have to be careful here as there are other issues involved.
I don't have any serious issues with the way any of these gun safes are insulated, other than I do not believe that they will perform exactly as advertised. Even the gypsum board used in many gun safes will provide some protection.
I will say that the vast majority of real fire rated safes used cast insulations. If there was anything better, you would see a lot more of it.
I respect your opinions you have provided us on the many gun forums throughout the years!! Thanks from all of us here!!
Thanks for the kind words. I get a lot of information regarding other subjects that I'm not knowledgeable about from the forums. This is just my way of giving back.
